The New Zealand Government has introduced a new Immigration Quota that will provide an opportunity for Pacific peoples wishing to migrate here.

A total of 375 Pacific peoples from Tonga, Tuvalu and Kiribati will be able to migrate to New Zealand under the new Pacific Access Category or PAC.

This scheme gives Pacific peoples an avenue to migrate to New Zealand but who do not have close family links to New Zealanders, and are therefore unlikely to gain access through other immigration categories.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Phil Goff, Minister of Immigration, Lianne Dalziel and Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Mark Gosche announced details of the scheme late last year.

Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Mark Gosche says the scheme is a positive step. "The Pacific nations concerned have welcomed this move and it will provide some certainty for these countries."

Minister of Immigration, Lianne Dalziel believes the scheme will benefit everyone.

"We felt it was important to meet the needs of our Pacific neighbours. We have had significant problems in the past with people overstaying their permits and felt that if we gave access to residency, then perhaps people wouldn't overstay."

The eligibility criteria for the PAC is based on the existing Samoan Quota, which requires applicants to be of good character and health; have basic English skills; have a job offer in New Zealand; and be under 45 years of age.

Country sub-quotas have been agreed with Pacific governments, and are as follows: Tonga (250), Tuvalu (75) and Kiribati (50) places. The PAC replaces the current work schemes with Tuvalu and Kiribati. Approvals will be counted against annual immigration programmes.

This is the first time a quota system has been introduced with Tonga and Tongans living here in New Zealand are welcoming the new scheme.

"We've been trying to get our people to access these types of schemes prior to this announcement. It's great news for our

community" says Chairman of the Auckland Tongan Advisory Council, Melino Maka.

The Tuvalu community is also supporting the new scheme. "It's a great scheme but we would like to see more than 75 people qualify because of the problems Tuvalu is currently experiencing. Within the next 10-20 years Tuvalu will disappear because of the Greenhouse effect so it would be good to increase that number and make a new home for Tuvaluans " says Chairman of the Auckland Tuvalu Community Siliga Tala.

The PAC is open for registrations on 1 July 2002 but applicants must apply for PAC in their respective countries.

The New Zealand Immigration Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs will regularly review the PAC.

Adjustments to sub-targets will be considered as and when Pacific communities develop in New Zealand.

For more details contact the NZIS free phone 0508 55 88 55 or visit the NZIS Website: www.immigration.govt.nz
 

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